Use of New Liner In Water Distribution System

For years there has been interest in rehabilitation of water distribution systems to provide quality drinking water and to reduce breaks in the water system service. Much work has been accomplished by cleaning and lining of water mains to provide quality drinking water and restore full flow capabilities to the water pipe. If there was to be a structural solution to the break problem, most agencies have been excavating and replacing the older pipe with new pipe. This method is very expensive and disruptive to the community. Recently a new method of lining the host pipe using a new PVC pipe has been brought from Europe to North America for use in rehabilitating water mains. The method is fast, and is relatively simple to install. The downtime for the distribution system is greatly reduced and the length of time for bypassing is at a minimum. Standard fittings and valves can be used on the newly installed water main. The new pipe meets water standards; ANSI/AWWA C900, ANSI/AWWA C905, NSFS standard 61 and other ASTM Standards. The pipe material is 100% virgin PVC pipe and is resistant to chemical corrosion. The pipe application is presently for 2 through 60 diameters. The end product is a structurally sound, stand alone pipe which provides a new 50 year design life. The process is very environmentally safe and greatly reduces the impacts on the customers from excavate and replacement. The actual installation of PVC pipe and expanding to host pipe normally takes about 2 hours. Manpower requirements for the installation are greatly reduced from other techniques of structural rehabilitation.